Star Studded Lineup Qualifies For 2013 Brisbane Cup Final

The Brisbane Cup Final will be graced with some of the biggest names in Australian greyhound racing after the super stars fired on heats night.

Wheeler pair Tomac Bale and Xylia Allen will head the billing for the big race. Tomac Bale sizzled in heat six while Xylia Allen pulled herself off the canvas to win her heat in dramatic fashion. They will be joined by the likes of Farmor Las Vegas, Kiss Me Ketut and Battistuzzi in what promises to be a gem of a final.

Brisbane Cup Heat 1

The Frank Hancock trained Battistuzzi (Box 6) set the early standard with a blistering 29.77 win to open Cup proceedings. Top Story began well from box three carving out an early section of 5.60. The blue dog did all he could to hold out Battistuzzi but the son of Collision and Dulcinea showed tenacity to cross to the fence as they left the straight the first time. From that point it was a one act affair as Battistuzzi showed them a clean set of pads to land the heat by from Top Story who stuck on resolutely with Phantom Jewels rattling home for third. Battistuzzi has now won 9 from 17 and will be a major player in next weeks final after drawing box three.

Brisbane Cup Heat 2

Classy conveyance Farmor Las Vegas (Box 4) took out the second heat in style in 29.85. After beginning only moderately from the squeeze box, the son of Knocka Norris and Farmor Cee You drove up hard to lead at the post the first time in 5.59. Hawko’s Mistake (Box 8) chased hard in second place for the duration of the race but could not quite match motors with the winners solid run home of 12.77, going down by 1 1/2 lengths. Bellagio Lad finished in third place. The win gives Lara mentor Robbie Britton another crack at a group final just a fortnight after he landed the quinella in the Group 1 Bold Trease.

Brisbane Cup Heat 3

The third heat provided a sensational finish and the first major upset of the night. Local dog Captain Clarrie (Box 2) landed the event by the bearest of margins for trainer Peter Ruetschi after a long sustained run home. Rose Of Galo (Box 5) finished second after leading everywhere but the post. Rose Of Galo set the fast early pace with a 5.48 first section. Captain Clarrie and Clonakilty Man (Box 7) were the margin abbreviators for the entirety of the race and looked to have Rose Of Galo under siege on the home turn. But Rose Of Galo kept bobbing and looked as though she may just hold on, only to be nabbed by Captain Clarrie right on the post with Gold Town slipping up the fence to finish third. The son of El Galo and Rose Noir only managed a moderate 30.11 and one would think that he will need to find a couple of lengths to feature in the final, especially after drawing the extreme outside.

Brisbane Cup Heat 4

Victorian speedster Kiss Me Ketut (Box 8) led from go to whoa in an impressive front running display to land heat four in 29.95 for South Geelong trainer David Burnett. Spearing the lids from the outside, the son of Bombastic Shiraz and Spiral Siyan stopped the clock at 5.57 for the first section. From that point, Kiss Me Ketut made the race a virtual solo trial with nothing making an impression on the Melbourne Cup finalist. Spirited Flame (Box 3) rattled home to grab second place with Honey Bouquet in third.

Brisbane Cup Heat 5

Shoot Out winner Xylia Allen (Box 5) produced the biggest comeback since Lazarus to land heat five after looking gone for all money as they passed the post the first time. Beginning well below her best, the daughter of Turanza Bale and Tayah Bale found herself in fifth place and around ten lengths from the lamp lighter Tee Brady (Box 2) as they headed out of the straight the first time. While Tee Brady opened up a lead on the rest of the field, the Jenny Hunt trained black bitch began to cut a swathe through the field and wind up in pursuit of the him. By the home turn, Xylia Allen had hit the front and stormed away to win by a space in 29.81 which included a run home of 12.49. Late Angel Lee ran on well to finish third in the event. Should Xylia Allen be able to begin on terms next week, then she will be the in the final up to her ears.

Brisbane Cup Heat 6

The Mark Delbridge trained Tomac Bale (Box 1) sent an ominous warning to competitors by going within a length of the Albion Park track record in the final heat. After pinging from the coveted cherry alley, the son of Dyna Lachlan and Princess Bale ran 5.53 to the first mark and had already opened up a two length break on his rivals. From that point it was a matter of “eyes on the clock” as the red fawn chaser careered away to score by nine lengths in 29.63. Hopes Fantasy finished in second with Belfast Johnny a further 3 1/4 lengths away in third. Tomac Bale was ultra impressive in his 14th win from 25 starts and will be well in the betting next week after drawing box two.

Next weeks final promises to be worthy of star billing with a quality octet of chasers set to contest the event.

The box draw for the final is as follows;

2013 Brisbane Cup Final Boxdraw

1 - Top Story

2 - Tomac Bale

3 - Battistuzzi

4 - Hawko’s Mistake

5 - Farmor Las Vegas

6 - Kiss Me Ketut

7 - Xylia Allen

8 - Captain Clarrie

Reserves

9 - Rose Of Galo

10 - Tee Brady

2013 Brisbane Cup Heats Replays

Rob has been involved in greyhounds as an owner, breeder and photographer for over twenty years. Rob is a sporting tragic who is currently studying a diploma in sports journalism and also writes for www.australiangambling.com.au on a number of sports. Away from greyhounds and journalism Rob is a keen photographer, beach goer, cricketer and guitar player.

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